[Productivity costs of rheumatoid arthritis in Germany. Cost composition and prediction of main cost components].

Objective: Identification of predictors for the productivity cost components: (1) sick leave, and (2) work disability in gainfully employed and (3) impaired household productivity in unemployed patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from the societal perspective.

Methods: Investigation of productivity costs was linked to a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of clinical quality management in 338 patients with RA. The productivity losses were assessed according to the German Guidelines on Health Economic Evaluation.

Indirect cost assessment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA): comparison of data from the health economic patient questionnaire HEQ-RA and insurance claims data.

Objective: To render information on the accuracy of patient-reported indirect cost data compared with payer-derived data of the real indirect costs on a patient-by-patient basis concerning disease-related productivity losses in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: The assessment of indirect cost data was part of a clinical, multicenter, randomized RA trial. A total of 234 patients of working age with a diagnosis of RA (according to 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria) were recruited.

Implementing standardized cost categories within economic evaluations in musculoskeletal diseases.

We present a matrix of relevant resource utilization domains for use in standardizing applied cost assessment in musculoskeletal conditions. In addition,we highlight the importance of selecting cost categories during the development of an economic evaluation. A set of four steps was applied: (a) literature search identifying economic evaluations in osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, (b) listing and aggregation of cost categories mentioned in the identified articles, (c) development of a matrix of resource utilization domains, and (d) qualitative discussion regarding the generalizability of the matrix to other musculoskeletal conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Patient-reported health care utilization in rheumatoid arthritis: what level of detail is required?

Objective: To investigate the level of detail required in self-reported health care utilization questionnaires for administration to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A preliminary questionnaire was developed on the basis of existing tools for use in rheumatic conditions and in-depth interviews with 10 RA patients. Data gathered over 1 year of administration in a clinical setting were then matched to a comprehensive database of payer-reported information.

Cost assessment instrument in rheumatology: evaluation of applied instrument characteristics.

We compared the major characteristics of internationally applied cost assessment instruments (CAI) in rheumatic conditions. Fifteen utilization questionnaires were identified and assessed using a structured approach. The forms differed considerably with respect to applied characteristics: length (3-113 items), recall period (between 1 week and 1 year), format (2 interview, 13 self-administered), response categories, cost units (physical vs monetary), and cost domains covered.